Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 Contents Sections Page Introduction 3 Vision 4 Objective 4 Why signage is important 4 Why have a signage strategy for Sleaford 5 Relevant considerations for a Signage Strategy 5 How will the Signage Strategy be delivered 5 Strategy Catergories 6 This document is available in large print and in alternative languages upon request. 2 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 Introduction Signage has a crucial role to play in making any place accessible and visitor and user friendly. A recent review of existing signage in Sleaford has identified that the town could have a more consistent and uniform approach to signage which would mean that directional signs within the town could be more informative and coherent. This document therefore sets out a future framework for the delivery of signage in the town, seeking to achieve a standard format for all existing and future signage in the town. LEASINGHAM A15 A153 A17 A17 Sleaford Wood Lincoln Road A17 SLEAFORD East Road A15 Carre’s Grammar School St Denys’Church St Georges Academy River Slea Market Place National Centre for Craft & Design Sleaford Leisure Centre South Gate Boston Road Kesteven & Sleaford High School Boston Road Recreation Ground Bass Maltings Grantham Road London Road Mareham Lane A153 Quarrington A15 SILK WILLOUGHBY 3 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 Vision For Signage to be clear, simple and relevant to a modern town and which supports as a thriving service centre, for its residents, businesses and visitors. Objective The objective is to deliver a clear set of guidelines and implementation for delivery of existing and future signs within the town that all relevant organisations can follow to achieve the above vision. Why signage is important Signage, in all its formats, is an important element in guiding residents, businesses and visitors into and around a town centre, whether travelling by foot, bicycle, public transport or car. It can make a big impact upon the attractiveness and visitor experience of a place. It is important to keep wayfinding and directional signage up-to-date and relevant. Good Signage can contribute to a positive economic impact. 4 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 Why have a Signage Strategy for Sleaford Over the years there has been a significant increase in all types of Signage in Sleaford. This Signage has been provided by a number of different organisations and, by and large, in an uncoordinated fashion. This has resulted in both a huge variety of signage styles and a clutter of unnecessary signs which are now adversely impacting on the town centre. North Kesteven District Council, Sleaford Town Council and Lincolnshire County Council recognise the current position is not satisfactory and have agreed to work together to develop a co-ordinated signage strategy for the town. Given the proposed growth for Sleaford, it is felt to be important to agree how signage can be used to support the integration of that growth. In addition to the above, there is also an aspiration for pedestrianisation for the town centre, which will have an impact on signage. As it is likely at this stage that the signing strategy will be agreed prior to knowing the outcome of the pedestrianisation study, it is proposed that this strategy will, where possible, be future-proofed against the possible introduction of pedestrianisation. Relevant considerations for a Signage Strategy The future development of Sleaford and particular town centre development opportunities is mapped out through the Sleaford Masterplan which was adopted December 2010. The Masterplan identifies a number of key principles which the Signage Strategy will need to adhere to: • The delivery of perimeter car parks for Sleaford to reduce vehicle movement in the town centre • Signage that supports alternative access to the town centre other than by car • Signage should support and improve the efficiency and the movement of vehicles within the town centre • Signage should highlight the town centre key heritage and townscape, including leisure and culture attractions • Signage should identify key access routes into and out of and around the town centre • The volume of traffic in the town centre is a serious impediment to the future health and prosperity of the town as an attractive and vibrant shopping centre How will the Signage Strategy be delivered? The strategy will be delivered in a number of different ways; • A consultation will be undertaken on this draft strategy • An audit of Highway signage to support the audit already undertaken of the wayfinding signage • A reduction, where possible of the number of sign types in Sleaford • Replacement of out of date or duplicated signs where necessary • Incorporating the Sleaford brand into future signage • Refusal of future applications for signs that do not meet the guidelines of the strategy • The creation of a panel to oversee applications and enforcement issues in relation to signage with representation from LCC, NKDC and STC 5 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 Strategy Categories The Signage Strategy has various categories for consideration and areas to drive for improvement, including perceived areas of responsibility/ownership, will be:- Category Ownership 1 Car Park signage LCC (on highway) District/Town (off highway) 2 Standard Highway Direction Signs (black /white) LCC 3 Routes for heavy goods vehicles & height restrictions LCC 4 Information Boards and Wayfinder signs District/Town/third parties 5 Heath facilities and neighbourhood centre LCC (on highway) District/Town (off highway/wayfinder) 6 Tourism Signs LCC (on highway) District/Town (wayfinder) 7 Sports and Leisure LCC (on highway) District/Town (off highway/wayfinder) 8 Temporary Signs and Event Management LCC/NKDC 9 Advertising and promotional signs District/Town 10 Educational Facilities and Religious destinations LCC 11 Retail venues (Information Board/Wayfinder signs) District/Town 12 Local government destinations (Wayfinder Signs) District/Town/LCC 13 Transport Hubs LCC (on highway) District/Town (off highway/wayfinder) 14 Roundabouts LCC (highway signs) District/LCC (sponsorship signs) 15 Use of route numbers LCC 16 Cycle routes LCC (highway signs) District/Town(Information Boards/Cycle parking infrastructure and signs) 17 Design principle and branding for off highway signs, District/Town information boards and Wayfinder. 18 Upkeep and maintenance of signage All stakeholders 19 Mandatory Signs LCC 20 Design Standards LCC, District and Town • Highway Signs • Wayfinder/Information • Upkeep and maintenance 6 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 1. Car parking signage Highway Signs Car parks will not be included on highway direction signs from either of the bypasses. A separate ‘parking strategy’ is being worked on. It is proposed that, going forward, this will be adopted and therefore the signage strategy will support perimeter car parking. District Council Signs Wayfinder Signs for the perimeter car parks will direct visitors back to their car park. Visitors may not be familiar with the area so it can be helpful to include a descriptive name of the car park on these signs. Thought should be given to creating a theme for naming car parks whether this is by use of an adjacent street/area or allocating each car park a colour. Such signs can make reference to pedestrian distance and time to town centre; however for a town the size of Sleaford this is probably unnecessary and including additional legend would make signs much larger. We should focus on what information a visitor needs when heading back to the car park their vehicle is located in, and as most car parks are located no more than 5 minutes from the town centre the provision of pedestrian distance and time is considered to be superfluous. Actions for implementations a) All existing short term car parking signage should be removed. b) All existing private car parking signs will be removed and applications for future private car park signage will be refused. c) Car parking signs should only be installed and maintained for Long Stay perimeter car parks; the strategy to sign only long stay car parks has been adopted by other towns within Lincolnshire on the basis that short stay car parks are generally known and used by local drivers. 2. Standard highway directional signage When the strategy is adopted it is proposed that a full audit of all existing highway directional signage is undertaken with a view to removing all non-essential directional signage. Future audits will be considered every five years; however these shouldn’t be necessary providing the Delivery of the Strategy (see page 1) is adhered to. Future audits may only be necessary if changes are made to the Strategy. Traffic coming to the town from the bypasses should be routed in a way that minimises traffic through the town centre. Traffic leaving the town should be routed in a way that minimises traffic through the town centre. Signs are required to ensure that there is minimal impact on the town centre. An example would be when leaving the town via Grantham Road all routes should be signed towards the bypass, avoiding the town centre. Business parks should be clearly signed from the bypass by the most direct route to avoid HGVs within the town centre. Actions for implementations d) Full audit of all existing highway directional signage 7 The Signage Strategy for Sleaford March 2018 3. Routes for heavy goods vehicles & height restrictions The only known height restriction is on Boston Road; signing should be provided in accordance with Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) and guidance contained in The Traffic Signs Manual (TSM). Actions for implementations e) Any weight restriction signage should be limited to the confines of the restriction. Additional ‘advisory’ signage would only be considered by the overseeing group. 4. Information boards & wayfinding signage As part of the Signage Strategy a full audit will be undertaken and all non-essential wayfinding/ finger post signs will be removed.